Core Insights - The housing sector is facing significant challenges, with new housing starts declining to an annual pace of 1.3 million, which is below economists' expectations [2][3] - The median U.S. home price is projected to reach $416,900 by 2025, while the median household income is around $83,150, resulting in a price-to-income multiple of 5X, indicating severe affordability issues [4][7] - A housing shortage has reached an all-time high of 4.7 million units, exacerbating the crisis as younger buyers are priced out and older homeowners are not selling [8] Government Response - The White House is considering measures to address the high cost of housing, with potential actions including declaring a national housing emergency, providing tariff relief, and offering incentives for first-time buyers [9][10] - These combined measures could significantly boost both supply and demand in the housing market within a year, potentially leading to a housing boom [11] Investment Opportunities - Key homebuilders identified for investment include Lennar, PulteGroup, DR Horton, KB Home, NVR, Toll Brothers, Meritage Homes, and Green Brick Partners, referred to as "blue chips" of the housing construction industry [12] - Housing technology companies like Zillow are also highlighted as potential investment opportunities, especially if more buyers enter the market [12] Interest Rate Outlook - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates four to five times over the next year, which could lower mortgage rates significantly from the current range of 6-7% [15][17] - Lower mortgage rates could improve affordability for buyers but may also lead to increased demand and higher prices in a tight market [19] Additional Investment Considerations - Companies like Opendoor, Compass, and Rocket Mortgage are positioned to benefit from a potential housing boom and falling mortgage rates, with Rocket Mortgage expected to dominate the refinancing space [21]

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Group 1 - The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage decreased from 7.04% in January 2025 to 6.35% as of September 2025, marking a significant drop [1] - A notable one-week drop in mortgage rates occurred in September 2025, falling from 6.5% to 6.35%, which is the largest decrease in a week for that year [1] - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts are contributing to the decline in mortgage rates, potentially easing borrowing costs for homebuyers [2][4] Group 2 - Each percentage point decrease in mortgage rates can save homebuyers thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars annually [3] - There is speculation that further interest rate cuts may occur later in 2025, but it is uncertain if this will lead to lower mortgage rates [4][5] - Inflation concerns may pose risks to the stability of mortgage rates, as a rise in consumer prices could lead to an increase in rates [5]

Core Insights - CleanSpark stock (NASDAQ: CLSK) has surged over 40% in the past month, attributed to a 38% increase in bitcoins mined in August, supported by a significant operational hashrate of 50 EH/s achieved in June 2025 [2][3] - The broader cryptocurrency market is experiencing strong momentum, with other Bitcoin miners also showing gains, influenced by the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, which are favorable for cryptocurrencies [3] - CleanSpark's revenue has grown rapidly, with a 90.8% increase in quarterly revenue to $199 million compared to $104 million a year ago [8] Valuation and Financial Performance - CleanSpark's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 6.3, compared to 3.2 for the S&P 500, and its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 12.4 versus 24.0 for the benchmark [7] - Revenue growth for CleanSpark averaged 81.4% over the past three years, with a recent 85.1% increase from $341 million to $632 million in the past 12 months [7] - CleanSpark's operating income over the last four quarters was -$104 million, reflecting a weak operating margin of -16.5% [16] Profitability and Financial Stability - CleanSpark's profit margins are below most companies in the Trefis coverage universe, indicating weak profitability [9] - The company's balance sheet appears strong, with a debt of $820 million against a market cap of $3.8 billion, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.8% [16] - Cash and equivalents stand at $916 million out of $3.1 billion in total assets, giving a cash-to-assets ratio of 29.5% [16] Market Position and Competitive Analysis - CleanSpark is considered undervalued compared to competitors, with IREN trading at 17 times trailing revenue, MARA at 8 times, and RIOT at 11 times, while CleanSpark trades at 6 times revenues [13] - The stock has shown significant volatility, having plunged 95.6% from $40.39 on January 7, 2021, to $1.78 on December 19, 2022, while still being below its pre-crisis high [17] - Overall, CleanSpark is characterized by very strong growth, weak profitability, very strong financial stability, and weak resilience during downturns [17]

Core Viewpoint - Minneapolis Fed President Neil Kashkari anticipates two more rate cuts from the central bank this year, despite concerns about inflation and the Fed's commitment to its 2% target [1][17]. Summary by Relevant Sections Rate Cuts and Inflation - Kashkari expresses confidence in the need for two additional rate cuts this year, suggesting that the current funds rate is above neutral given a 3% inflation rate [17][18]. - He acknowledges the challenge of cutting rates while inflation remains elevated, emphasizing the importance of communicating the rationale behind these decisions to the public [2][3]. Inflation Dynamics - The essay highlights that housing services inflation is on a steady decline, and non-housing services inflation is also gradually decreasing, linked to wage growth trends [6][7]. - Core goods inflation had turned negative earlier in the year but has since increased due to tariffs, which Kashkari believes may have a one-time effect rather than a persistent impact [7][8]. Fed Independence and Market Reactions - Kashkari discusses the importance of Fed independence in maintaining low inflation expectations and the dollar's value, noting that market participants generally trust that this independence will be upheld [10][11]. - Despite concerns about potential erosion of Fed independence, he observes that the bond market does not currently reflect these worries, indicating confidence in institutional stability [9][10]. Labor Market Insights - The labor market shows signs of fragility, with businesses cautious about hiring and firing, which could necessitate rate cuts as a form of insurance to prevent a significant downturn [24][25]. - Kashkari mentions that estimates for job growth needed to maintain a stable unemployment rate are around 50,000 to 80,000, suggesting a cautious outlook on labor market dynamics [22][23]. Economic Forecasting and Policy Response - The Fed is focused on forward-looking indicators, with confidence that inflation will continue to decline as housing inflation decreases and tariff rates stabilize [19][20]. - Kashkari expresses skepticism about the immediate impact of fiscal policies, such as tax cuts, on economic growth, emphasizing the need for cautious forecasting [26][28]. Technological Impact on Labor Market - The potential effects of AI on the labor market are acknowledged, but Kashkari believes these changes will unfold gradually, similar to past technological advancements [32][33].

Economic Overview - Wall Street resumed its rally following a 25 basis points rate cut by the Federal Reserve, with the Dow and Nasdaq reaching record highs, indicating regained investor confidence [1][3] - The Federal Reserve raised its GDP forecast for the year, reflecting a positive sentiment in the economy as inflation has eased substantially [1][6] Rate Cuts and Economic Impact - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cut to a range of 4-4.25% is aimed at addressing concerns over a struggling labor market and a slowing economy, with expectations of two more rate cuts this year [3][5][9] - Lower borrowing costs are anticipated to benefit the broader economy, particularly in consumer discretionary sectors [6][9] Consumer Discretionary Stocks - Boyd Gaming Corporation (BYD) has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.2%, with a 4.9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 60 days [7] - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is projected to have a 13.7% earnings growth rate, with a 3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [8] - Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) shows a strong expected earnings growth rate of 19.8%, with an 8.4% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [10] - Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) has an expected earnings growth rate of 21.5%, with a notable 14.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [11] - Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE) is expected to see a 12.8% earnings growth rate, with a 3.7% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [12][13]

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said Friday that he expects President Donald Trump's tariffs to expert minimum long-term pressure on inflation, leaving room for multiple interest rate reductions ahead.In a CNBC interview, the central banker detailed reasons why he would like the Fed to lower its benchmark borrowing level at each of the remaining two meetings this year in addition to the one the Federal Open Market Committee approved Wednesday. The three total cuts is one more than he had ...

The Fed is forecasting economic growth and falling unemployment, yet it is cutting interest rates—something usually seen in recessions. U.S. stocks hit a record high yesterday, and some Wall Street analysts are concerned that this all looks a bit frothy. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s “Summary of Economic Projections,” published this week, shows that the central bank believes the economy will grow through 2028. In June, their change in GDP estimate for 2025 was 1.4%. Now, it’s 1.6%. It’s even rosier for 202 ...

CONCLUDED Stock Market News From Sept. 19, 2025: Stocks Climb to New Highs Last Updated: Topics Memberships Subscribe to Barron's Tools 13 hours ago Bitcoin Edges Lower on Mild Profit Taking By Renae Dyer, Dow Jones Newswires Bitcoin fell slightly as traders take profits after the cryptocurrency reached a one-month high in the previous session. The Federal Reserve resumed cutting interest rates on Wednesday. Bitcoin initially fell after the decision as Fed Chair Jerome Powell pointed to more measured path o ...

All right, great pleasure. We bring in Joe Leavia, counselor to the Treasury Secretary. Joe, welcome as always.Um, our good friend, yours and mine, Steve Moore, wrote a piece today in the Wall Street Journal. Trump's tariffs on aluminum kill US factory jobs. They're costly for companies that use the metal to make things, including recyclers.I just wanted Steve's going to be on in a moment after you after the break. You have a thought on that. What is the rebuttal from the administration.Larry, Steve is a gr ...